aircraft lightning

Lightning currents flowing through an aircraft can couple into wiring in multiple ways, from magnetic‑field induction to capacitive coupling across seams, apertures, and composite structures. Part 2 explores how airframe materials, openings, and cable shielding affect the waveforms and levels imposed on onboard systems.

Lightning poses a constant threat to modern aircraft, striking airframes far more often than most people realize. This overview explores early research, lightning‑strike behavior, current waveforms, attachment zones, and the structural factors that influence induced currents inside today’s increasingly complex aircraft.